research masters thesis
You haven't said what kind of masters, do you mean a research masters? and in what area? A masters dissertation usually takes about 3 months to do in total. To re-write 2 months should be plenty. some people on my course did it in 2 weeks! - but they weren't very good with deadlines so had to rush a bit. I would say its perfectly feasible.
ah ok, so you mean an Mres, rather than an MSc in research methods?
I have no idea what the requirements are for those. What I would say is try not to be defeatist. Presumably you have put a lot of time, effort and money towards trying to get this qualification. you owe it to yourself to at least TRY and get it in.
I would just ask for more feedback, what is it specifically about the writing style? ask him to mark up a few pages with pointers. Its very difficult being given no guidance, but some supervisors (like mine) don't really like a hands on approach and often think that students should do it all themselves with some guidance only at the end. its difficult, but this qualification is yours, so you will have to work yourslef crazy for it. Realistically, in 2 years time, when you want to explain to people why you didn't get the qualification, then the supervisor explanation won't really wash - so get to it, ask for some more feedback and use the time you have left. You could also enquire about an extension potentially.
Smitten, I really empathise with you. I am doing a Masters Research thesis as the larger part after having course work and research methods as well. Course is around 2 years to 3 years or so- given that most of us do it part-time while working.
My supervisor is EXACTLY the same! Good advice and nice enough person but sits on work for weeks to months on end, never replies to emails or phone messages so I have to literally harass her (which I HATE doing) and then gives stuff back to me when I have virtually no time to do it OR when I have finished my leave from work-so I have to do it all while working full bore (and this she does despite my having given her time-lines and plans for how and when I can fit in big bursts of writing or research and have leave from work). It is incredibly frustrating isn't it?
However, I would agree with Sneaks, try not to be defeatist-I think you should be able to do it, especially if it is a matter of rewriting. How long does your thesis have to be. Mine is only 25 000 words. Doesn't sound much-but it is still a standard five to six chapter Masters thesis-with the usual intro, lit review, methods, results, discussion and conclusion and they all need to be really tight-no room for error with words given the length. Remember that you are also rewriting- not coming up with new material but refining and reordering the material you have now. My supervisor says (and this is part of her good advice- I think of her rather like the mother from the film Coraline-sometimes she is a good supervisor and sometimes she is a WITCH with BUTTON EYES!) Anyhow, she says when she wants things re-done, don't put it off, don't get anxious, don't think you need masses of time, just systematically work on it consistently and give yourself a morning to do this bit-then a weekend to get that bit sorted. Given that this is rewriting-you should be able to do it-certainly don't give up!
